New Zealand Climate Summary: January 2015 Issued: 3 February 2015 A warm, sunny and very dry month for most of the country. Rainfall Soil Moisture Temperature Sunshine Rainfall was well below normal (< 50%) or below normal (50-79%) for most parts of the country. The exception was parts of Waikato, Gisborne, coastal Canterbury, the Southern Lakes and Fiordland where rainfall was near normal (80-119%). It was extraordinarily dry in parts of Northland, Auckland, Taranaki, Manawatu-Whanganui, Kapiti Coast, Wellington, Marlborough, north Canterbury and Central Otago where rainfall totals for the month were less than 10% of their respective January normal. As of 1 February 2015, soil moisture levels were below normal for the time of year for extensive areas of New Zealand, but especially for northern, western and southern parts of the North Island, and north-western, southern and inland parts of the South Island. January temperatures were above average (+0.51 C to +1.20 C) or well above average (> +1.20 C) for most parts of the country. It was a particularly warm month for parts of Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, West Coast, Canterbury and Central Otago where temperatures at least 2.0 C above the January average were recorded. It was a very sunny month for the country, with most areas recording above normal (110-125%) or well above normal (> 125%) January sunshine. Click on the link to jump to the information you require: Overview Rainfall Temperature Sunshine January 2015 climate in the six main centres Highlights and extreme events Overview January 2015 was characterised by air pressures which were higher than normal over and southeast of New Zealand, with an anomalous north-easterly airflow over the country. This pressure pattern resulted in an abundance of dry, warm and sunny weather during the month for most areas of the country. The predominance of anticyclones (highs) was reflected in rainfalls for the month as a whole, which were well below normal (< 50% of the January normal) or below normal (50-79% of the January normal) for most areas of the country. It was exceptionally dry in parts of Northland, Auckland, Taranaki, Manawatu-Whanganui, Kapiti Coast, Wellington, Marlborough, north Canterbury and Central Otago where rainfall totals for the month were less than 10% of their respective January normal. The lack of rainfall contributed to soil moisture levels that were much lower than normal for the time of year in many areas. Specifically, as of 1 February 2015 soils were notably drier than normal for much of the North Island, and north-western, inland and southern parts of the South Island. Soil moisture
levels were nearer to normal for the time of year in Gisborne and Fiordland, reflecting the near normal rainfall (80-119% of the January normal) that was typically observed in these parts. January was a warm month overall, with at least above average temperatures (0.51-1.20 C above the January average) for the majority of the country. Temperatures were well above average (> 1.20 C above the January average) in parts of Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Manawatu-Whanganui, Kapiti Coast, Wellington, West Coast, Nelson, inland Canterbury, Central Otago and Southland. It was an exceptionally warm month in Te Puke, Stratford, Reefton, Arthur s Pass, Rangiora, Ranfurly, Lauder and Middlemarch where mean temperatures were greater than 2.0 C above the respective January average. January temperatures were near average (between -0.50 to +0.50 of the January average) in some eastern-most parts of Gisborne, Hawke s Bay and Marlborough, which may reflect the exposure of these areas to the north-easterly airflow anomaly mentioned earlier. The nation-wide average temperature in January 2015 was 18.2 C (1.1 C above the 1981-2010 January average from NIWA s seven station temperature series which begins in 1909) 1. It was a very sunny month for the majority of the country, with persistent anticyclones (highs) giving rise to clear skies and numerous sunny days. Most of the country received above normal (110-125% of the January normal) or well above normal (> 125% of the January normal) sunshine hours for January. The exception was eastern parts of the South Island from Cape Campbell to Banks Peninsula where January sunshine was near normal (90-109% of the January normal). Further Highlights: The highest temperature was 36.4 C, observed at Timaru on 16 January. The lowest temperature was 0.4 C, observed at Lumsden on 21 January. The highest 1-day rainfall was 146 mm, recorded at Milford Sound on 11 January. The highest wind gust was 148 km/hr, observed at South West Cape on 4 January. Of the six main centres in January 2015, Tauranga was the warmest and sunniest, Dunedin was the coolest, Wellington was the driest, Hamilton was the wettest and Christchurch was the cloudiest. Of the available, regularly reporting sunshine observation sites, the sunniest four centres so far in 2015 (1 January to 31 January) are: New Plymouth (356 hours), Paraparaumu (333 hours), Appleby (332 hours) and Tauranga (328 hours). For further information, please contact: Mr Chris Brandolino NIWA Forecaster NIWA National Climate Centre Tel. 09 375 6335, Mobile (027) 886 0014 1 Interim value
Rainfall: A dry or very dry month for most January 2015 was a record or near-record dry month in 43 locations across New Zealand. The lack of rain was notable due to its widespread nature. A total of 19 recording stations received less than 10% of normal January rainfall respectively, and record or near-record low January rainfall totals were observed as far north as Kerikeri (Northland) and as far south as South West Cape (Stewart Island). In contrast, Gisborne (143% of the January normal) and Queenstown (170% of the January normal) received considerable rainfall totals (occurring mostly on one or two days) for the month. Record 2 or near-record January rainfall totals were recorded at: Rainfall total (mm) Percentage of normal Year records Kerikeri 4 4 1981 Lowest Motu 38 29 1990 Lowest Whatawhata 13 14 1952 Lowest Dannevirke 4 5 1951 Lowest Waione 20 27 1991 Lowest Paraparaumu 4 8 1945 Lowest Wellington (Airport) 2 4 1958 Lowest Hawera 4 5 1977 Lowest Reefton 34 23 1960 Lowest Hanmer Forest 3 5 1905 Lowest Waipara West 1 2 1973 Lowest Ranfurly 7 14 1943 Lowest Lauder 2 4 1924 Lowest Warkworth 11 12 1966 2nd-lowest Auckland (Mangere) 6 9 1959 2nd-lowest Mahia 25 44 1990 2nd-lowest Ohakune 11 11 1961 2nd-lowest Whanganui 2 3 1890 2nd-lowest Westport 56 36 1944 2nd-lowest Motueka 6 8 1943 2nd-lowest Cape Campbell 2 4 1873 2nd-lowest Lincoln 7 17 1881 2nd-lowest Dunedin (Airport) 22 32 1962 2nd-lowest South West Cape 56 52 1991 2nd-lowest Masterton 19 32 1992 3rd-lowest Palmerston North 11 21 1928 3rd-lowest Levin 10 14 1895 3rd-lowest Wallaceville (Upper Hutt) 16 20 1924 3rd-lowest 2 The rankings (1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd.etc) in all Tables in this summary are relative to climate data from a group of nearby stations, some of which may no longer be operating. The current climate value is compared against all values from any member of the group, without any regard for homogeneity between one station s record, and another. This approach is used due to the practical limitations of performing homogeneity checks in real-time.
Stratford 35 29 1960 3rd-lowest Takaka 20 15 1976 3rd-lowest Nelson 10 13 1941 3rd-lowest Lumsden 53 55 1982 3rd-lowest Alexandra 13 25 1983 3rd-lowest Te Puke 13 12 1973 4th-lowest Te Kuiti 13 13 1950 4th-lowest Martinborough 9 20 1924 4th-lowest Wairoa 22 27 1964 4th-lowest Farewell Spit 4 4 1874 4th-lowest Appleby 12 16 1932 4th-lowest Tara Hills 13 27 1949 4th-lowest Invercargill 37 32 1900 4th-lowest Tauranga 8 11 1898 Equal 4th-lowest Temperature: Above average temperatures throughout the country January was a warm month throughout New Zealand. Many more locations observed record or nearrecord high mean maximum air temperatures compared to the number of locations that observed record or near-record high mean minimum air temperatures. This may be attributed to the predominance of anticyclones (highs) during the month. Clear skies and sunny weather associated with these weather systems contributed to the high day-time temperatures observed. However, the lack of cloud cover enabled night-time temperatures to fall lower than if clouds had been present, due to enhanced radiative cooling. Notably, those locations that did observe record or near-record high mean minimum air temperatures were typically located near the coast, where the sea has a moderating influence on night-time minimum temperatures. The nation-wide average temperature in January 2015 was 18.2 C (1.1 C above the 1981-2010 January average from NIWA s seven station temperature series which begins in 1909). Record or near-record mean air temperatures for January were recorded at: Mean air temp. ( o C) Departure from normal ( o C) Year records Mokohinau 21.1 1.3 1994 Highest Whangaparaoa 21.2 1.6 1982 Highest Te Puke 21.0 2.7 1973 Highest Motu 17.5 2.0 1990 Highest Kaikohe 20.0 1.4 1973 2nd-highest Tauranga 21.2 1.7 1913 2nd-highest Masterton 19.7 2.3 1992 2nd-highest Stratford 18.0 2.1 1960 2nd-highest Reefton 19.4 2.5 1960 2nd-highest Ranfurly 17.8 2.7 1975 2nd-highest
Lauder 19.1 2.9 1924 2nd-highest Puysegur Point 15.1 1.3 1978 Equal 2ndhighest Whakatane 20.5 1.6 1974 3rd-highest Rotorua 19.4 1.7 1964 3rd-highest Ngawi 19.9 1.2 1972 3rd-highest Farewell Spit 19.3 1.5 1971 3rd-highest Motueka 19.0 1.3 1956 3rd-highest Cheviot 18.1 1.4 1982 3rd-highest Christchurch (Riccarton) 19.1 1.8 1863 3rd-highest Kaitaia 20.5 1.1 1985 4th-highest Kerikeri 20.0 0.8 1981 4th-highest Whangarei 20.9 0.9 1967 4th-highest North Shore (Auckland) 21.0 1.0 1994 4th-highest Taupo 18.9 1.8 1949 4th-highest Waione 19.5 1.2 1991 4th-highest Nelson 19.2 1.4 1943 4th-highest South West Cape 13.9 0.8 1991 4th-highest Record or near-record mean maximum air temperatures for January were recorded at: Mean maximum air temp. ( o C) Departure from normal ( o C) Year records Kaitaia 25.7 1.7 1985 Highest Kaikohe 25.2 2.3 1973 Highest Mokohinau 23.7 1.5 1994 Highest Whangaparaoa 25.6 2.3 1982 Highest Auckland (Whenuapai) 25.6 2.0 1945 Highest Te Puke 26.1 2.5 1973 Highest Motu 23.4 2.9 1990 Highest Masterton 27.5 3.5 1992 Highest Dannevirke 25.2 2.7 1951 Highest Stratford 23.6 2.8 1960 Highest Ohakune 24.1 2.9 1962 Highest Takaka 25.3 2.3 1978 Highest Reefton 26.4 3.5 1960 Highest Motueka 25.6 2.3 1956 Highest Ranfurly 25.7 3.7 1975 Highest Lauder 27.1 4.0 1924 Highest Rotorua 25.0 2.2 1964 2nd-highest Taumarunui 27.2 3.1 1947 2nd-highest Takapau Plains 24.1 1.2 1962 2nd-highest Waione 26.7 2.5 1991 2nd-highest Ngawi 24.4 1.8 1972 2nd-highest Palmerston North 25.9 3.0 1928 2nd-highest Wallaceville (Upper Hutt) 24.3 2.3 1939 2nd-highest
Nelson 24.1 1.7 1943 2nd-highest Mt Cook Village 23.5 3.1 1929 2nd-highest Tiwai Point 19.7 1.8 1970 2nd-highest Cape Reinga 23.2 1.1 1951 3rd-highest Kerikeri 25.5 1.2 1981 3rd-highest Whakatane 25.3 1.3 1974 3rd-highest Taupo 25.5 2.8 1949 3rd-highest Auckland (Airport) 25.4 1.8 1959 3rd-highest Turangi 25.4 2.3 1968 3rd-highest Whanganui 25.1 2.6 1937 3rd-highest Farewell Spit 23.4 1.7 1971 3rd-highest Hanmer Forest 26.2 2.8 1906 3rd-highest Waiau 26.3 2.1 1974 3rd-highest Cheviot 24.8 1.7 1982 3rd-highest North Shore (Auckland) 24.8 1.2 1994 4th-highest Auckland (Mangere) 25.4 2.0 1959 4th-highest Hamilton 26.3 2.0 1946 4th-highest New Plymouth 23.8 2.3 1944 4th-highest Paraparaumu 23.3 2.1 1953 4th-highest Levin 24.3 2.3 1895 4th-highest Puysegur Point 17.8 1.3 1978 4th-highest Arthurs Pass 21.2 2.9 1973 4th-highest Tara Hills 26.3 2.9 1949 4th-highest Dunedin (Airport) 23.0 2.0 1962 4th-highest Record or near-record mean minimum air temperatures for January were recorded at: Mean minimum air temp. ( o C) Departure from normal ( o C) Year records Te Puke 15.9 2.8 1973 Highest Puysegur Point 12.3 1.1 1978 2nd-highest Ranfurly 9.9 1.8 1975 2nd-highest South West Cape 11.1 1.1 1991 2nd-highest Mokohinau 18.5 1.2 1994 3rd-highest Tauranga 17.0 1.9 1913 3rd-highest Whakatane 15.8 2.0 1974 3rd-highest Orari Estate 12.1 1.7 1972 3rd-highest North Shore (Auckland) 17.3 1.0 1994 4th-highest Motu 11.7 1.3 1990 4th-highest Ngawi 15.5 0.7 1972 4th-highest Reefton 12.4 1.5 1960 4th-highest Secretary Island 12.4 0.9 1985 4th-highest Cheviot 11.4 1.0 1982 4th-highest Dargaville 15.6 0.6 1943 Equal 4thhighest
Sunshine: A very sunny month January was a sunny month throughout New Zealand, which may be attributed to the clear skies associated with the prevailing high pressure weather systems (anticyclones). New Plymouth (356 hours) observed its highest total sunshine hours for January on record, and this is additionally the highest total sunshine hours for any month on record in New Zealand. Nelson held the previous record of 336 hours, which was recorded in December 1934. Of the available, regularly reporting sunshine observation sites, the sunniest four centres so far in 2015 (1 January to 31 January) are: New Plymouth (356 hours), Paraparaumu (333 hours), Appleby (332 hours) and Tauranga (328 hours). Record or near-record January sunshine hours were recorded at: Sunshine hours Percentage of normal Year records Kaitaia 289 126 1985 Highest Auckland (Mangere) 308 133 1963 Highest Te Kuiti 278 135 1962 Highest Turangi 303 134 1976 Highest New Plymouth 356 144 1972 Highest Dannevirke 284 128 1963 Highest Paraparaumu 333 140 1953 Highest Wallaceville (Upper Hutt) 284 121 1939 Highest Hokitika 289 132 1912 Highest Greymouth 286 142 1947 Highest Tauranga 328 125 1932 2nd-highest Palmerston North 288 137 1930 2nd-highest Takaka 307 123 1985 2nd-highest Lake Tekapo 316 121 1928 2nd-highest Dunedin (Musselburgh) 246 136 1980 2nd-highest Dargaville 273 121 1943 4th-highest Taumarunui 281 138 1947 4th-highest Gisborne 304 122 1905 4th-highest Nelson 318 119 1948 4th-highest Balclutha 249 145 1964 4th-highest
January climate in the six main centres It was a dry, warm and sunny month for most of New Zealand, and the main centres were no exception. Tauranga observed its second-warmest, second-sunniest and equal fourth-driest January on record, and Auckland recorded both its sunniest and second-driest January on record. Although Wellington (Kelburn) received just 5 mm of rainfall, it wasn t a record or near-record low January rainfall total for that location. Of the six main centres in January 2015, Tauranga was the warmest and sunniest, Dunedin was the coolest, Wellington was the driest, Hamilton was the wettest and Christchurch was the cloudiest. January 2015 main centre climate statistics: Temperature Mean temp. ( o C) Departure from normal ( o C) Auckland a 21.1 +1.5 Well above average Tauranga b 21.2 +1.7 2nd-highest on record Hamilton c 19.5 +1.2 Above average Wellington d 18.2 +1.3 Well above average Christchurch e 18.1 +0.9 Above average Dunedin f 16.2 +0.9 Above average Rainfall Rainfall (mm) % of normal Auckland a 6 9% 2nd-lowest on record Tauranga b 8 11% Equal 4th-lowest on record Hamilton c 25 31% Well below normal Wellington d 5 7% Well below normal Christchurch e 18 50% Below normal Dunedin f 23 31% Well below normal Sunshine Sunshine (hours) % of normal Auckland a 308 133% Highest on record Tauranga b 328 125% 2nd-highest on record Hamilton g 290 126% Well above normal Wellington d 279 113% Above normal Christchurch e 201 3 85% Below normal Dunedin f 246 136% 2nd-highest on record a Mangere b Tauranga Airport c Hamilton Airport d Kelburn e Christchurch Airport f Musselburgh g Ruakura 3 Missing two days of data.
Highlights and extreme events Temperatures Dry conditions and high temperatures combined to elevate fire danger levels throughout much of New Zealand during January. On 19 January, several small fires were reported in the upper South Island, including one near Seddon which forced the temporary closure of SH 1 and disrupted train services on the main trunk line. On 26 January a large fire started near Arthur s Pass, and it required considerable resources to bring under control. The area of land affected was estimated at nearly 500 ha, and SH 73 was forced to close temporarily. High temperatures on subsequent days in the Arthur s Pass area resulted in a number of hot-spots flaring up. From 25-28 January, Wellington (Kelburn) recorded a four-day warm spell (consecutive days with a daily maximum temperature greater than 25.0 C). This is the equal second-longest warm spell for Wellington (Kelburn) in records which in 1927 (longest warm spell on record is five days, beginning 24 December 1934). The highest daily maximum temperature for the country was 36.4 C, observed at Timaru on 16 January. This was followed by 36.2 C at Leeston and 35.7 C at Pukaki Aerodrome observed on 4 January respectively. The lowest daily minimum temperature for the country was 0.4 C, observed at Lumsden on 22 January. This was followed by 0.6 C at Pukaki Aerodrome and 0.7 C at Dunedin Airport, with both temperatures also observed on 22 January respectively. Record or near-record daily maximum air temperatures for January were recorded at: Extreme maximum ( C) Date of extreme temperature Year records Cheviot 33.6 4th 1982 2nd-highest Campbell Island 18.1 26th 1991 2nd-highest Reefton 33.2 25th 1960 3rd-highest Orari Estate 34.8 16th 1972 3rd-highest Timaru 36.4 16th 1885 3rd-highest Ranfurly 32.3 4th 1975 3rd-highest Taumarunui 32.1 25th 1947 Equal 3rd-highest Whangaparaoa 27.7 18th 1982 4th-highest Levin 29.7 31st 1895 4th-highest Ohakune 29.1 25th 1962 4th-highest Whanganui 30.8 28th 1937 4th-highest Waiau School 35.6 4th 1974 4th-highest Lake Tekapo 32.4 4th 1925 4th-highest Dunedin (Airport) 32.9 26th 1962 4th-highest Tiwai Point 27.8 9th 1970 4th-highest
South West Cape 24.6 25th 1991 4th-highest Palmerston North 30.5 25th 1918 Equal 4th-highest Waipara West 35.2 26th 1973 Equal 4th-highest Record or near-record daily minimum air temperatures for January were recorded at: Extreme minimum ( C) Date of extreme temperature Year records Secretary Island 17.7 26th 1988 Highest Ranfurly 18.3 5th 1975 Highest Campbell Island 11.9 26th 1991 2nd-highest Farewell Spit 19.3 29th 1972 Equal 2nd-highest Mokohinau 20.4 31st 1994 Equal 3rd-highest Whangaparaoa 20.0 30th 1982 Equal 3rd-highest Alexandra 18.5 11th 1983 4th-highest Lumsden 0.4 22nd 1982 2nd-lowest Waione 2.6 9th 1991 3rd-lowest Balclutha 1.4 22nd 1964 Equal 3rd-lowest Tiwai Point 4.6 22nd 1970 Equal 4th-lowest Rain and slips The highest 1-day rainfall was 146 mm, recorded at Milford Sound on 11 January. Record or near-record January extreme 1-day rainfall totals were recorded at: Extreme 1-day rainfall Date of extreme rainfall Year records (mm) Wind The highest wind gust was 148 km/hr, observed at South West Cape on 4 January. Record or near-record January extreme wind gusts were recorded at: Extreme wind gust (km/hr) Date of extreme gust Year records
Lightning and Hail On 19 January lightning strikes and hail were reported near the east coast of North Otago. On 21 January thundery showers brought hail to isolated parts of Hawke s Bay including Hastings and Havelock North. Masterton was also struck by a sudden downpour which caused minor surface flooding on some streets. A thunderstorm struck Queenstown in the evening of 30 January, with lightning strikes reported near the airport. The town received 55.4 mm of rainfall on this day, which is 87% of the normal total January rainfall there. For further information, please contact: Mr Chris Brandolino NIWA Forecaster NIWA National Climate Centre Tel. 09 375 6335, Mobile (027) 886 0014 For climate data enquiries, please contact: Mr Gregor Macara Climate Scientist, NIWA Wellington Tel. 04 386 0509 January 2015 total rainfall, expressed as a percentage of the 1981-2010 normal (%). Rainfall was below normal (50-79% of the January normal) or well below normal (< 50% of the January normal) in many areas of New Zealand, as indicated by the light green, yellow, orange and dark red shades. The lack of rainfall contributed to soil moisture levels that were considerably lower than normal for the time of year in many parts of the country. http://www.niwa.co.nz/climate Copyright NIWA 2015. All rights reserved.